Author:UNLV Foundation Soccer Admin

September 25, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Musovski Ties Rebel Goal, Points Records In Rout Of Oral Roberts

Senior forward also tied the WAC mark for most goals in a game with four.

Sept. 24, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) –

Senior forward Danny Musovski quickly made up for lost time, as in his first home game of the season the Las Vegas native tied a pair of school records thanks to a four-goal, nine-point outburst in leading UNLV to a 5-1 rout of Oral Roberts Sunday morning from Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels dominated the game from the start, scoring their most goals in two years to close out non-conference play at 3-6 overall.

THE TURNING POINT: With the Rebels already leading 1-0, Musovski notched his second and third goals just four minutes apart, in the 34th and 38th minute, to blow the game open.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Danny Musovski had only appeared in four road games prior to Sunday’s contest, but made sure to give the home crowd a good show in his first appearance on Johann Field this season. He opened the day’s scoring with a blast in the 6th minute, and would finish the first half with his first career hat trick. Musovski then added a fourth score in the 47th minute when he tapped in a ball in front of the goal. That fourth goal tied him for the most goals in a game ever scored by a Rebel, as that feat was first accomplished by Doug Borgel on Oct. 20, 1989 against UC Irvine. Musovski added an assist on the Rebels’ fifth goal to finish with nine points, which also ties him for the all-time record for points in a game at UNLV, also by Borgel in the game against UC Irvine.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV pounded the Oral Roberts goalkeeper all game long, as the Rebels finished with 31 total shots and 16 on goal, Thibaut Giquel would be credited with 10 saves in the net for ORU, while giving up the five goals.

QUOTABLE: “I felt like I owed it to my team while I was out, so four goals seems fitting, but more importantly it was a win for the team and puts us on good footing entering conference play.”
– UNLV senior forward Danny Musovski
“Today’s result was fantastic, Danny had a great game and I think the team played very well together. It’s what we hope for when we’re at home, a high scoring exciting game with lots of goals. Great day for us and great way to lead into conference and we’re looking forward to Thursday and Houston Baptist.”
– UNLV Head Coach Rich Ryerson

REBEL NOTES:
* UNLV has played two Sunday home games this season, and won both by a combined 8-1 margin (3-0 over Gonzaga on Sept. 17).
* Danny Musovski’s hat trick in the first half was the first for UNLV since Sal Bernal on Aug. 31, 2014 at Bradley, and just the third overall in the last 20 years.
* Memo Diaz assisted on Musovski’s second goal, while Marquis Pitt was credited with an assist on the third.
* Oscar Velazquez and Marco Gonzalez assisted on the fourth goal for UNLV. Velazquez then got in the scoring column in the 62nd minute with a long shot from the right side, off assists by Musovski and Gonzalez.
* The Rebels’ five goals were the most since a 5-1 home win over Incarnate Word on Oct. 18, 2015 in Las Vegas.
* Musovski has now moved into fifth place at UNLV in career scoring with 93 points, into sixth place with 37 career goals, and seventh place with 19 career assists.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebels have just one game this week as they open WAC play on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 pm against Houston Baptist at Johann Field. The first 100 fans will also receive a free UNLV beanie. The UNLV Soccer Foundation will hold a free tailgate party before the game, with free food, drinks and music. Admission is free to all ticketed fans.

Single game ticket prices this season are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors, or a special internet price of $5 is available for all tickets bought online at UNLVTickets.com, good up to three hours before game time. Kids 12 and under are always free at UNLV men’s soccer contests.

September 19, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Cortes Named To National Team Of The Week

Senior Sophie Cortes is one of 11 players named to Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week, the fourth Rebel to earn a nod this season.

 

Sept. 19, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – For the fifth time this season, UNLV women’s soccer was honored as part of Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week as senior Sophie Cortes was one 11 players from around the nation to earn a spot on the squad.

Cortes, a Newhall, California, native, has been an offensive force for the Rebels in 2017, helping the team to a program-best 8-1 record through non-conference play. Over the weekend, Cortes scored three of the Rebels’ four goals, including both goals in the 2-1 win at CSU Bakersfield on Friday. Her third goal came on a penalty kick in the second half of Sunday’s home contest against UC Riverside, putting the Rebels up 1-0 in the eventual 2-1 win.
The midfielder has registered career-highs in goals (7), assists (4) and points (18) this season and leads the Mountain West in all three categories.
Cortes joins Chidera Akubuilo, Caitlyn Kreutz and Amanda Galbraith as Team of the Week honorees in 2017. Galbraith also earned honorable mention honors after her double overtime game-winner at Northern Arizona two weeks ago.
With non-conference play behind them, Cortes and the Rebels will begin their Mountain West title defense on the road this weekend, facing New Mexico Friday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. PT and league rival San Diego State Sunday, September 24 at noon.
September 18, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels Wrap Up Non-Conference Slate With 2-1 Win Over UC Riverside

UNLV remains undefeated at home and heads into Mountain West play at 8-1 overall, a program-best through nine games.

Sept. 17, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – After four straight games on the road, UNLV women’s soccer returned home Sunday afternoon to wrap up its non-conference schedule against UC Riverside at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels used a pair of second-half goals from senior Sophie Cortes and junior Amanda Galbraith to edge out the Highlanders 2-1 and improve to 8-1 on the season.

With the victory, UNLV extends its winning streak to four games – its second such streak of 2017 – and finishes non-league play undefeated at home at 5-0. The 8-1 record is also the best non-conference winning percentage and best start through the first nine games in program history.

Cortes finished the weekend with three goals to bring her season total to seven, setting a new career high. The midfielder’s stellar senior season continues as she now leads the Mountain West in goals, shots (30) and points (18) in addition to be tied for first in assists with four.

THE TURNING POINT: After a scoreless first half, the Rebels took the lead on Cortes’ penalty kick in the 47th minute and seemed to grab the momentum, but the Highlanders responded with the tying goal in the 58th minute. With 15 minutes to play, sophomore Paige Almendariz sent a perfect long ball cross over the top of the UCR defense, right to a streaking Galbraith, who took one dribble and slotted it in the left corner of the goal with a left-footed shot for the game-winner.

STAT OF THE GAME: For the second straight game the Rebels were out-shot, this time 13-9, but still managed to win the game. Prior to Friday’s win at CSU Bakersfield, UNLV had lost the last two games it was on the losing end of that category dating back to last season.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Galbraith notched her second game-winner of the season and her fourth goal overall, which good for second on the team behind Cortes.

QUOTABLE:

“It was not one of our better performances. (UC) Riverside is scrappy, physical team and they threw us off our game a little bit. Sunday games are always hard, especially coming off a road game on Friday and playing at a different time than normal, just got us out of our normal routine. But we found a way to get a win even though we didn’t have our best performance and I think that is indicative of the character of this squad.” -Head Coach Chris Shaw

REBEL NOTES:
* The Rebels are 8-1 through the first nine games for the first time in program history

* UNLV finishes its non-conference slate with a .889 winning percentage – also a program-best against non-league opponents in a season
* UNLV currently has a four-game winning streak, its second one of the season
* Rebels finish non-league play unbeaten at home at 5-0
* Cortes and Galbraith not only provided the offense in the game, they have been the leaders in the attack this season, combining for 11 goals and eight assists on the year
* Rebels have 21 goals on 20 assists this year and are on pace to break the goals and assists records of 51 and 50 set just last year

* Senior keeper Jordan Sallee had a strong weekend in the net with 11 saves on the weekend

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: With the non-conference slate behind them, the Rebels will begin Mountain West play on the road next weekend, facing New Mexico Friday, September 22 and rival San Diego State on Sunday, September 24.

September 18, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels Blow Past Gonzaga 3-0

Marco Gonzalez scores first two goals of his career in the victory.

Sept. 17, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) –

UNLV broke out of its scoring slump in emphatic fashion, as freshman forward Marco Gonzalez of Las Vegas sparked a 3-0 shutout of Gonzaga in the final game of the Johann Memorial Classic men’s soccer tournament on Sunday afternoon at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels improved to 2-5 on the year with their first goals since the season opener and would finish second in the tournament standings. Gonzaga (4-3) placed third, due to UNLV winning the tiebreaker with the head-to-head win. Saint Francis (5-3) was named tournament championships with a 2-0 weekend record that included Friday night’s 1-0 overtime win over UNLV.

THE TURNING POINT: UNLV scored the first goal of the game for the first time this season, allowing the Rebels to play while holding a lead just 13 minutes into the contest.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Marco Gonzalez, in his third career start, scored the Rebels’ first two goals of the game, in the 13th minute off an assist by Timo Mehlich, and in the 66th minute thanks to an assist from Oscar Velazquez. Those were the first two goals of his career as well, and gave the Rebels a 2-0 edge.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV did not allow a shot on goal until the 88th minute, and held a 9-1 edge on shots on goal.

QUOTABLE: “It feels good to get my first goal, but it was more important to get the win, that’s going to help us more for the rest of the season.”
– UNLV freshman forward Marco Gonzalez.
“We’ve been trying to get goals all year and haven’t had much success since Portland, so it was good to have that kind of performance today. As for holding our two opponents this weekend to just one total goal, obviously that’s the kind of defensive effort we’re going to have to play at to get to that next level, so we were very happy with the overall team effort these past two games.”
– UNLV Head Coach Rich Ryerson

REBEL NOTES:
* The third goal of the game came from senior Oscar Velazquez, his first of the season.
* With the two-goal game, Marco Gonzalez is now the team’s leader in points this season with five.
* Enrique Adame only had to make one save to earn his first shutout of the season.
* UNLV’s three goals were its first since a 3-2 win at Portland on Aug. 25.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:
Mario Mastrangelo – Saint Francis
Lusca Rosa – Saint Francis
Kaelon Fox – Saint Francis
Marcus Rojas – Saint Francis
Marco Gonzalez – UNLV
Timo Mehlich – UNLV
Oscar Velazquez – UNLV
Ben White – Gonzaga
Jalen Crisler – Gonzaga
Detre Bell – CSU Bakesfield
Jeremie Charon – CSU Bakersfield

Tournament MVP – Mario Mastrangelo – Saint Francis
Offensive MVP – Marco Gonzalez – UNLV
Defensive MVP – Kaelon Fox – Saint Francis

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Saint Francis – 2-0
2. UNLV – 1-1*
3. Gonzaga – 1-1
4. CSU Bakersfield – 0-2
* – UNLV wins tiebreaker due to head-to-head win

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebels are on the road for the final time in September with a Friday night contest at CSU Fullerton. Kickoff is set for 5 pm and will be streamed live by BigWest.TV.

August 31, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels On The Road Again Friday At New Mexico

UNLV is looking for its first win in Albuquerque since 2003.

 

Aug. 31, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com)

UNLV and New Mexico will be facing each other in men’s soccer for the first time since the two were rivals in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation back in the 2012 season when the teams face off Friday night in Albuquerque, New Mexico in a 6 pm (PT) contest. The 17th-ranked Rebels come in at 1-1 thanks to their 3-2 last-second double-overtime win at then No. 15 Portland in the season opener. The Lobos meanwhile started the year ranked in the top 20, but dropped a pair of one-goal games, both on the road.

A live video stream of the contest will be shown on the Mountain West Network, which can be accessed at UNLVRebels.com.

The Rebels will then return home to host Pacific in their home opener Friday, Sept. 8. The annual Alumni game is also set for that date as well, starting at 4:00 pm. It’s also a RED OUT night for the Rebels. There will be free t-shirts for the first 125 fans, while UNLV Faculty/Staff will receive four free tickets each and a free BBQ sandwich. Prior to the contest, from 5-6:30 pm, the UNLV Soccer Foundation will hold a free tailgate party, with free food, drinks and music. Admission is free to all ticketed fans.

Season tickets are on sale now and are just $35 for adults, $25 for UNLV faculty/staff and seniors. Single game ticket prices this season are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors, though a special internet price of $5 is available for all tickets bought online at UNLVTickets.com, good up to three hours before game time. Kids 12 and under are always free at UNLV men’s soccer contests.

GAME #3
#17 UNLV (1-1-0, 0-0-0) at New Mexico (0-2-0)
Friday, Sept. 1 – 6 pm (PT) – Albuquerque, N.M. (UNM Soccer Complex)
Live Stats – Live Video

August 31, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels Hit The Road For The First Time in 2017

UNLV heads to Northern California for a Friday match at Sacramento State and a Sunday contest at UC Davis.

 

Aug. 31, 2017

 
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer stayed perfect through the first two weeks of the season with wins over Utah Valley and Southern Utah to wrap up a 4-0 homestand to begin the year. The Rebels will head out on the road for the first time in 2017, traveling to Northern California for a pair of contests against Sacramento State on Friday, September 1 at 2:30 p.m. PT and UC Davis on Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m. PT. Both matches will be live streamed. Visit unlvrebels.com for details.

UNLV (4-0) at Sacramento State (2-1)
Friday, Sept. 1 
2:30 p.m. PT | Hornet Field | Sacramento
UNLV leads the all-time series 2-1-0
 
UNLV (4-0) at UC Davis (0-4)
Sunday, Sept. 3 
1 p.m. | Aggie Soccer Field | Davis
All-time series tied 1-1

Last weekend’s victories didn’t come without some drama as it took a golden header goal by senior star Chidera Akubuilo with less than three minutes remaining in double overtime to beat UVU Friday night. Sunday’s win against Southern Utah came a little easier at 3-1, but head coach Chris Shaw knows they need to continue to improve before they get into conference play.

The 4-0 start matches a program-best that was set just a year ago by the reigning Mountain West Champions. The two wins also extends the Rebels’ regular season unbeaten streak to 14, dating back to last year. While Akubuilo was the hero in Friday’s win, fellow senior Sophie Cortes was the team’s MVP over the weekend, scoring three goals in the two games to earn her first career Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honor. After the Rebels went down 1-0 three minutes into Friday’s match against UVU, Cortes evened the score in the 17th minute, setting up the opportunity for overtime and Akubuilo’s game-winning score. In Sunday’s contest against SUU, Cortes scored goals 13 minutes apart, which ultimately proved to be the difference in the 3-1 game.

In addition to Cortes’ conference honor, Akubuilo was tabbed a Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week selection. The Rebels also appeared in the United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll for the second straight week, coming in at No. 15.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION 

  • Sacramento State enters Friday’s match at 2-1 after three hard-fought games to start the year, including two overtime contests in its last two games. After a 2-1 win to open the season against St. Mary’s, the Hornets lost a 3-2 double OT heartbreaker to Nevada, Reno, but bounced back with a 2-1 overtime win over Fresno State. The Rebels and Hornets last met in 2013, with UNLV coming out on top 1-0 in OT in Sacramento.
  • UC Davis goes into the weekend looking for its first win of 2017 after facing a tough slate the first two weeks, with losses to No. 3 and defending national champion USC, San Diego State, Portland and No. 19 California. UC Davis has also only managed one goal through four games. The Rebels and the Aggies are facing off for the first time since 2011, when UC Davis won at home 2-0.

STATISTICAL RANKINGS

  • NCAA: The Rebels currently boast a top-10 offense in the country, ranking tied for fourth in total goals (13), fifth in total points (39) and tied for sixth in total assists (13). Individually, Sophie Cortes is tied for second in the country in total points (11) and tied for eighth in points per game (2.75)
  • Mountain West: The Rebels lead the MW in nearly very major statistical category, including goals, points, assists and tied for first in goals-against-average (.75), while they are second in shots (85)

NEWS & NOTES

  • UNLV started the season 4-0 for the second straight season, matching the program-best start set just a year ago.
  • Dating back to last season, UNLV is unbeaten in 14-straight regular season games.
  • For the second consecutive week, UNLV nabbed the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week award of the year with Cortes earning her first career honor after a three-goal performance.
  • Cortes has been stellar through the first two weeks, already matching her goal output from a year ago with four to go along with three assists. Her 11 points rank tied for second in the country.
  • Akubuilo earned Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week recognition after another weekend of leading the UNLV back line and scoring the golden header goal in double OT to beat Utah Valley.
  • The Rebels are the only Mountain West team still undefeated through the first two weeks.
  • For the second straight week, the Rebels appeared in the United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll, coming in at No. 15.
  • Chris Shaw is in his fourth year with a 40-22-5 overall record.
  • The Rebels were picked to finish third in the Mountain West preseason coaches poll, their highest spot in the poll since 2013. San Diego State and San Jose State were picked to finish one-two, but UNLV’s five first-place votes were the most of any school.
  • Akubuilo, the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, collected several preseason honors. She became the first Rebel to be named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the most prestigious award in collegiate soccer. She was also named to TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Women’s DI Best XI Third Team and is ranked No. 32 on the site’s Women’s Collegiate Top 100.
  • The Rebels return two All-Conference First Team selections in Akubuilo and Cortes, a second team selection in Jordan Sallee and two Mountain West All-Newcomer team selections in Paige Almendarizand Georgia Kingman.
  • Sallee also garnered preseason honors as she was ranked No. 66 overall and the No. 9 senior keeper on Everybody Soccer, a site dedicated to collegiate goalkeepers.
August 29, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight, Updates

Rebels Drop Overtime Road Contest At Oregon State 1-0

UNLV will play a third straight road game on Friday at New Mexico.

 

Aug. 28, 2017

CORVALLIS, Ore. (UNLVRebels.com) 

Just three days after opening the season with a last second double-overtime victory, the 17th-ranked UNLV men’s soccer team again went to extra time on Monday, but this time the Rebels were the ones on the wrong side of the scoreboard after Oregon State slipped in a shot in the 91st minute. That gave the Beavers a 1-0 victory over the Rebels, moving both teams to 1-1 on the season.

THE TURNING POINT: Oregon State sent a shot towards the center of the goal that Rebel goalkeeper Enrique Adame was able to deflect to the right. However, Jordan Jones collected the ball on the post, slipped off a Rebel defender and sent a low shot that banged through the feet of another Rebel defender before it was stopped just over the goal line, resulting in the score.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV was limited to just three shots in the first half, and only two total on goal for the afternoon.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Kevin Partida, finished with one shot, was directing the Rebels’ efforts from the midfield against the Beavers.

QUOTABLE: “Disappointing after the win we had on Friday, to not get the result in OT. I thought the guys looked a little fatigued, I don’t feel that we were as sharp as I would have liked to have seen us.” – Head Coach Rich Ryerson.

REBEL NOTES: 
* The Rebels were held scoreless in a regular-season game for the first time since a 2-0 loss at Gonzaga Sept. 23, 2016.
* Just hours before the game, UNLV received its highest national ranking since 1992, as the Rebels are 17th in this week’s Top Drawer Soccer Top 25 Poll. They moved in following the 3-2 double-overtime win over then No. 15 Portland to open the season on Aug. 25.
* UNLV’s two games this weekend were part of the Hensor/Zaher Nike Classic. Named to the all-tournament team from UNLV were Danny Musovski, Daniel Moran and Marco Gonzalez.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will play a third straight game on the road when it takes on former MPSF rival New Mexico on Friday at 6 pm in Albuquerque.

August 29, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Akubuilo Earns National Honor, Rebels Remain Ranked in West Region

Senior Chidera Akubuilo is one of 11 players named to Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week, Rebels ranked 15th in United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll.

Aug. 29, 2017


LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – For the second straight week, UNLV women’s soccer made an appearance on Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week as senior Chidera Akubuilo was one of three defenders honored on the 11 player squad. The Rebels also remained in the polls, ranking 15th overall in the West Region by United Soccer Coaches.Akubuilo, from Torrance, California, was her usual stout self on UNLV’s back line, helping the Rebels stay unbeaten with home wins over Utah Valley and Southern Utah over the weekend. The senior also added some offensive heroics, scoring a header golden goal with less than three minutes remaining in double overtime to lift UNLV to a 2-1 win over Utah Valley.

After ranking 14th in the United Soccer Coaches West Region poll last week, the Rebels remained in the poll, dropping one spot to 15.

UNLV’s 4-0 record through the first two weeks of the season matches the program-best start set just a year ago. The Rebels will be on the road this weekend for the first time in 2017, taking on Sacramento State Friday, September 1 at 2:30 pm. PT and UC Davis on Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m.

August 29, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Cortes Named Mountain West Player of the Week

Senior Sophie Cortes nabs league’s Offensive Player of the Week honor after scoring three goals in pair of UNLV wins.

 

Aug. 28, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer captured the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honor for the second straight week as senior Sophie Cortes earned the award after a three-goal performance over the weekend. The midfielder’s play helped the Rebels improve to 4-0, matching the program-best start set just a year ago.

Cortes, a Newhall, California, native, became a full-time starter in 2016 and has been the engine in the UNLV attack this season. In Friday’s match against Utah Valley, the Rebels found themselves in a 1-0 hole three minutes into the game, but Cortes didn’t let it stay like that for long, tying it up at one in the 17th minute. UNLV went on to win the game with under three minutes remaining in double overtime on a header golden goal by fellow senior Chidera Akubuilo. In Sunday’s contest with Southern Utah, Cortes scored two goals 13 minutes apart to put the Rebels up 3-0 just after halftime, with the two scores ultimately providing the final margin of victory in the 3-1 win. After scoring four goals and registering six assists all of last year, the senior has already scored four goals and collected three assists through the first two weeks.

This is Cortes’ first career league honor and is UNLV’s 49th overall.

The Rebels (4-0) are heading out on the road for the first time in 2017, traveling to Northern California to face Sacramento State on Friday, September 1 at 2:30 p.m. PT and UC Davis on Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m. PT.